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The linebacker class in the 2026 NFL Draft is a deep one, and having watched Quay Walker leave in free agency, the Green Bay Packers may be looking for more long-term pieces at that position.
Athleticism has become more and more important at linebacker in the modern NFL, and Green Bay has drafted accordingly by chasing premium athletes, particularly in the Brian Gutekunst era.
Including all of Gutekunst’s linebacker picks, as well as Ted Thompson’s in the first three rounds, the team’s average pick at linebacker has been 6-1 ¾, 238 pounds with 31 ⅞” arms. The floors have been 6-0 ⅜, 227 pounds and 30 ¼” arms.
Speed has been the most consistent trait among the Packers’ linebacker picks, with an average 40 time of 4.67, which ranks in the 74th percentile, and the worst time 4.79, which still ranks in the 44th percentile.
It has become even more of a priority in recent years. The average 40 time under Thompson was 4.74, compared to 4.56 since Gutekunst took over in 2018.
The 10-yard split has been even more of a high bar, with an average of 1.62 seconds representing a 74th percentile score and the low at 1.64 still ranking in the 62nd percentile. The average 10 time has improved from 1.64 to 1.59 between the Thompson and Gutekunst eras.
Trending towards even faster prospects is a reflection of where the league is going, with linebackers needing to cover every blade of grass.
It is no secret the Packers value athleticism generally, and it is no different at linebacker. The average 3-cone time has been 7.08 (76th percentile), while the shuttle time has been 4.31 (74th percentile) and the average broad jump 9-11(72nd percentile).
There are instances of Green Bay drafting players with poor scores in those areas, but explosion and agility and important factors, not just straight line speed.
Based on the kind of athletes the Packers have drafted, here are the best fits in the 2026 class, ranked between No. 30 and 350 on the consensus big board, along with their ranking:
If they are open to drafting a linebacker with their second-round pick, Green Bay should have strong options between Rodriguez, Hill and Golday.
Trotter did not do any athletic testing, but it was due to injury, which may keep him on the table, although he does not have the kind of coverage skills the Packers usually look for.
Gentry is one of the more unique body types to ever play linebacker, standing 6-6 ½ with 35 ¾” arms, yet only weighing 228 pounds. He ran a 4.59 40 and an impressive 6.76 3-cone, which ranks in the 98th percentile among all linebackers to complete it since 1987.
He is a candidate to potentially move to defensive end, although he would need to put on significant weight.
Dugger is similarly freaky, albeit more proportioned, at 6-4 ¾, 242 pounds with 35” arms. His testing was fantastic across the board, including a 4.60 40, and he has been in Green Bay for a pre-draft visit. He is very much in play as a late-round pick or UDFA signing.
In terms of high profile players not included, C.J. Allen from Georgia (ranked 36th) did no testing by choice, which is likely to be a problem for the Packers, and he is also on the smaller side.
Kyle Louis from Pitt (76th) is very interesting. He is significantly undersized (under 6-0 and around 220 pounds) and is not a true linebacker who will make a living taking on blocks at the line of scrimmage.
He is however arguably the best cover linebacker in the draft and his testing was terrific. Some teams view him as a safety, which the Packers do not really need. Louis may simply not be a fit, but he could be a fun piece if Jonathan Gannon has a vision for him.
Michigan’s Jaishawn Barham (86th) was mentioned in the EDGE group after moving to defensive end during the 2025 season, but he has a lot of experience playing off the ball. He is the type of versatile player with rare traits that Gutekunst could be enamored by.
Owen Heinecke from Oklahoma is still listed on the consensus board at 246, but just won his battle for an extra year of college eligibility and will be returning to school.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers Prospects: 10 best linebacker fits in 2026 NFL Draft
Continue reading...
Athleticism has become more and more important at linebacker in the modern NFL, and Green Bay has drafted accordingly by chasing premium athletes, particularly in the Brian Gutekunst era.
Including all of Gutekunst’s linebacker picks, as well as Ted Thompson’s in the first three rounds, the team’s average pick at linebacker has been 6-1 ¾, 238 pounds with 31 ⅞” arms. The floors have been 6-0 ⅜, 227 pounds and 30 ¼” arms.
Speed has been the most consistent trait among the Packers’ linebacker picks, with an average 40 time of 4.67, which ranks in the 74th percentile, and the worst time 4.79, which still ranks in the 44th percentile.
It has become even more of a priority in recent years. The average 40 time under Thompson was 4.74, compared to 4.56 since Gutekunst took over in 2018.
The 10-yard split has been even more of a high bar, with an average of 1.62 seconds representing a 74th percentile score and the low at 1.64 still ranking in the 62nd percentile. The average 10 time has improved from 1.64 to 1.59 between the Thompson and Gutekunst eras.
Trending towards even faster prospects is a reflection of where the league is going, with linebackers needing to cover every blade of grass.
It is no secret the Packers value athleticism generally, and it is no different at linebacker. The average 3-cone time has been 7.08 (76th percentile), while the shuttle time has been 4.31 (74th percentile) and the average broad jump 9-11(72nd percentile).
There are instances of Green Bay drafting players with poor scores in those areas, but explosion and agility and important factors, not just straight line speed.
Based on the kind of athletes the Packers have drafted, here are the best fits in the 2026 class, ranked between No. 30 and 350 on the consensus big board, along with their ranking:
- Jacob Rodriguez - Texas Tech (45)
- Anthony Hill Jr. - Texas (48)
- Jake Golday - Cincinnati (58)
- Josiah Trotter - Missouri (63)
- Kaleb Elarms-Orr - TCU (130)
- Jack Kelly - BYU (174)
- Eric Gentry - USC (252)
- Karson Sharar - Iowa (259)
- Jaden Dugger - Louisana-Lafayette (277)
- Namdi Obiazor - TCU (315)
If they are open to drafting a linebacker with their second-round pick, Green Bay should have strong options between Rodriguez, Hill and Golday.
Trotter did not do any athletic testing, but it was due to injury, which may keep him on the table, although he does not have the kind of coverage skills the Packers usually look for.
Gentry is one of the more unique body types to ever play linebacker, standing 6-6 ½ with 35 ¾” arms, yet only weighing 228 pounds. He ran a 4.59 40 and an impressive 6.76 3-cone, which ranks in the 98th percentile among all linebackers to complete it since 1987.
He is a candidate to potentially move to defensive end, although he would need to put on significant weight.
Dugger is similarly freaky, albeit more proportioned, at 6-4 ¾, 242 pounds with 35” arms. His testing was fantastic across the board, including a 4.60 40, and he has been in Green Bay for a pre-draft visit. He is very much in play as a late-round pick or UDFA signing.
In terms of high profile players not included, C.J. Allen from Georgia (ranked 36th) did no testing by choice, which is likely to be a problem for the Packers, and he is also on the smaller side.
Kyle Louis from Pitt (76th) is very interesting. He is significantly undersized (under 6-0 and around 220 pounds) and is not a true linebacker who will make a living taking on blocks at the line of scrimmage.
He is however arguably the best cover linebacker in the draft and his testing was terrific. Some teams view him as a safety, which the Packers do not really need. Louis may simply not be a fit, but he could be a fun piece if Jonathan Gannon has a vision for him.
Michigan’s Jaishawn Barham (86th) was mentioned in the EDGE group after moving to defensive end during the 2025 season, but he has a lot of experience playing off the ball. He is the type of versatile player with rare traits that Gutekunst could be enamored by.
Owen Heinecke from Oklahoma is still listed on the consensus board at 246, but just won his battle for an extra year of college eligibility and will be returning to school.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers Prospects: 10 best linebacker fits in 2026 NFL Draft
Continue reading...
